Autism Spectrum | Margaret Jean

Mindfulness and meditation have been a big part of my life for several years now. I’m always happy to share with people how helpful meditation is for me.

Unfortunately almost everyone I talk to about meditation “can’t meditate”.

“I wish I could meditate. My mind isn’t made for that!” or “I can’t stand being still”, a few of the most common excuses why people tell me they “can’t meditate”.

People assume meditation was always easy for me, while in reality, nothing could be further from the truth.

I started meditation because of a deep internal need for change.

My twenty-fifth birthday was coming at me like an out of control locomotive with a sleeping driver. The number made me uneasy and it was coming too fast. Like a doe, hypnotized by the headlights, I felt helpless to stop it.

Something was wrong, missing, empty and completely inexpressible. I’d been searching…

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Apr 01 2017

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writing on the Spectrum

Asperger’s/Autism Diagnosis: How Does It Feel?

Source: Asperger’s/Autism Diagnosis: How Does It Feel?

Mar 23 2017

1 Comment

Aspergers Reading Resources, Aspies parenting, Autism Spectrum

Autism and Asperger’s Resources For Us To Share.

If you’ve read my book, Unforgiving, Memoir of an Asperger Teen, and even if you haven’t, you may be aware that information about autism and Asperger’s was non-existent as far as the public was concerned, until the late 1980’s. Even then it was sporadic.

So how amazing, how practical and helpful to have an internet full of candid, authoritative and informational resources. I am talking about blogs, web zines, and You Tube videos, like the one above. Here are just a few:

The Greatest Adventure: This blog is primarily aimed at allistic (non-autistic) parents of autistic children who will most likely have little to no prior experience of autism and who are looking for encouragement, information and support through shared experiences. https://thegreatestadventuresite.wordpress.com

Autism Parenting Magazine: As a parent of a teen or young adult on the autism spectrum, you have probably had to focus most of your attention on getting all the pieces in place to ensure your student has a successful transition. Whether your son or daughter is going to college, entering the workplace, or learning to live independently, being a special needs parent entails more than many people realize.

Expert advice from our team of respected professionals.
Solutions for dealing with sensory issues.
Advice for handling transitions.
Therapies to help develop your child’s potential.
The latest news and research that can help your family.
Real life stories from parents of children on the spectrum as well as from adults with autism to inspire and bring hope.

My Unexpected Journey: Join me as I navigate Autism, Homeschooling, Depression & Anxiety; all with God’s help. http://www.myunexpectedjourney.net/?p=29

Autism in Our Nest We are an autism family. We are one loving unit, and autism is a part of who we are.

These are just a few of the available resources, but enough to keep you focused for now. Any feedback? Please feel free to contact me at:

margaretjean64@gmail.com

Yours truly,

Margaret Jean.

Tagged Asperger's, autism spectrum resources

Mar 18 2017

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writing on the Spectrum

Aspies: Having a Purpose–Key to Health and Happiness?

In my book, Unforgiving, Memoir of an Asperger Teen, I show the vividness of life when purpose is found and pursued, and the sense of disconnection a teen has when that purpose is lost.

And if you ask some Aspies, they will tell you the thing they know most about happiness, is how elusive it is.

Having a purpose can change that. It will not only fuel your passion and get you out in the world doing something meaningful, “Purpose” also, according to Dr. Patricia A. Boyle PhD, a neuropsychologist with the Rush Alzheimer’s Disease Center, “somehow gives your brain resilience”.

And according to another study by cardiologist Randy Cohen of St. Lukes-Roosevelt Hospital in New York, Purpose can protect your heart health and contribute to your longevity.

So what is “Purpose” and how do you find it? One thing at least two people agree on, is that action is the key.

“Passion plus Daily Action Equals a Purposeful Life” writes author Shannon Kaiser in her article Three Unexpected Ways to Find Purpose.

In Mark Manson’s article, Seven Strange Questions that Help You Find Your Life Purpose, he states important truths about purpose-finding. “Get off your ass and discover what feels important to you,” Manson directs, adding: “Embrace embarrassment.” and “Everything sucks some of the time.”

Like Kaiser, Manson insists “Passion is the result of action, not the cause of it.”

Want to live longer, have a healthier heart and brain and do something you actually love? First you have to find out what that is. These authors give you fuel for the journey.

Read Manson’s article at: https://markmanson.net/life-purpose

Kaiser’s at:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/shannon-kaiser/3-unexpected-ways-to-find_b_5176511.html

and discover research facts about health and purpose at:

http://www.everydayhealth.com/news/purpose-life-good-your-health/

Aug 24 2016

1 Comment

anxiety, writing on the Spectrum

The Start of Something New

Guest Blog:

Paisley’s blog is a great example of having compassion for yourself. I love how she’s embracing her issues instead of trying to just make them go away! We’ll be following your blog, Paisley.

The Over Thinker

Thumbs up to me for my first post!

My name is Paisley, I’m a 19 year old student from Ontario, Canada and I have severe anxiety. My whole life I’ve been trying not to let my anxiety define me, but it recently occurred to me that after 19 years of trying to make this thing go away, it won’t. So why not embrace it? That seems to be a trend lately anyways, embracing past tragedies, scars, and physical illnesses, so why shouldn’t we start embracing our mental illness as well?

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Tagged Anxiety: living with it

Jun 21 2016

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Adult Aspies and Social situations, Asperger's research, Aspergers Reading Resources, writing on the Spectrum

The Canadian Autism Partnership: a website to remember.

In my book, Unforgiving, Memoir of an Asperger Teen, I note that Autism wasn’t really a concern until the late 1980’s. How wonderful it would have been if my parents and teachers (and I!) could have taken a survey like this one.

I received this survey request from the Autism Society of BC. The Canadian Autism Partnership Project (CAPP) would like all Canadian persons with or dealing with Autism Spectrum in their family, social or professional life to take the CAP survey.

The purpose of the survey is to assist in identifying programs and services that are currently effective and those that are lacking. Sounds like a good idea, does it not?

The proposed vision of the Canadian Autism Partnership is:

All Canadians living with autism have the opportunity to lead fulfilling and rewarding lives. This means that they are able to access the necessary supports and services in a welcoming and understanding society.

The proposed mandate of the Canadian Autism Partnership is:

To mobilize partners across sectors on a national level to accelerate innovation and action to address complex issues affecting Canadians living with Autism.

The proposed foundational statement for the Canadian Autism Partnership is:

Canadians living with autism have the right to:

· inclusion,
· understanding and acceptance,
· respect and dignity,
· full citizenship,
· equitable opportunities and access,
· personal autonomy, and
· decision-making.

The national ASD working group has identified the following areas of focus for the Canadian Autism Partnership:

· Early detection and diagnosis
· Treatment and support across the lifespan
· Education, training and awareness
· Attachment to the labour force
· Community living (includes recreation, leisure and housing)
· Impact on caregivers (includes health, mental health, respite, and senior issues)
· Research

To take the survey go to: www.capproject.ca

To view their website, go to: http://www.capproject.ca/index.php/en/

I know I can count on you!

Yours truly,

Margaret Jean.

Jan 10 2016

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Asperger teens, Aspies and families, writing on the Spectrum

Teen Aspie Activities That (Mostly) Don’t Involve Computers.

Is your child a science buff? If so you likely don’t have a problem prying them away from computer games. Eighteen year old UBC student Ann Stasia Makosnski (not an Aspie to my knowledge) invented a flashlight that works off body heat and a coffee cup that uses the heat of the drink to charge our cell phone. If your child has ‘invention ideas’ encourage them.

Even if the first 500 ideas are flops, they are bound to succeed sooner or later. Thomas Edison failed 10,000 times (I’ve successfully found 10,000 ways the light bulb will not work) and still became one of the most famous inventors of the 20th century.

Aspies like different ideas. Here’s one: carry socks wherever you go. Winter is very hard on homeless people. They often find themselves in below zero temperatures without socks, sometimes even without shoes. Recently a spokesman for the Union Gospel Mission reccomended giving a nice warm pair of socks to a homeless person. This suggests that you see them as a person, and empathize with their predicament.

Carrying new warm sox to give to homeless people could be a great way to change a trip to the grocery store or mall into a giving experience for your child.

Does your child frequently post on You Tube? Alex Plank, an Aspie, developed a website, “Wrong Planet” for teens with Asperger’s when he was just a teen.

This led Plank to pursue a career in film. He graduated from George Mason University with a degree in Film and Video Studies. One of his current projects is Autism Talk TV which can be found at:http://wrongplanet.net/autism-talk-tv/. Plank is currently a consultant for the TV series, The Bridge.

Does your child enjoy talking with older people?

Looking through our local community newspaper, I see that BC Care Providers Association is encouraging anyone who knows someone in a care facility to visit them. This seems a reasonable activity for Asperger Teens, as they often communicate and get along better with adults than their peers.

Does your child have a special interest?

Let’s say his special interest lies in trains; it might be a good idea to introduce them to an association of people with similar interests, such as a railway model association.

Introduce the child to the association’s activities at a show or exhibition. Research and explain how meetings are held, and attend with the child at first to help ease him into introductions and conversations. If it’s a good fit, the child will then have social interaction with people who enjoy his special interest topic.

There are lots of ideas on creative ways to engage your child. Not all of them involve the computer.

If you have ideas, I’d like to hear them. Just email me at margaretjean64@gmail.com.

Yours truly,

Margaret Jean.

Tagged Activities Aspergers kids, Asperger's

Asperger Me!

Category Archives: Autism Spectrum

If you’ve read my book, Unforgiving, Memoir of an Asperger Teen, you know that I once aspired to become an actress. Nowadays that aspiration has been downsized to being part of an audience.

But, hey, wouldn’t it be great to see a film that’s not only about people with Autism but which also features actors living on the spectrum in the leading roles?

Here’s your opportunity! Keep the Change is currently being screened in the Jewish Film Festival in Vancouver, BC.

It’s true that it’s too late for the November 2nd screening but how about showing up on November 12th? Maybe I’ll see you there!

Yours truly,

Margaret Jean.

A New York romantic comedy pairing a Jewish couple with autism played in fact by actors on the spectrum. Columbia MFA alumni Rachel Israel’s labour of love is a tour-de-force story about the high-functioning judgmental David and the outgoing Sarah.

From their meet-cute at a Jewish Community Centre program, the pair shares abundant chemistry and surmounts concrete obstacles. The lovers demolish assumptions of otherness, of living with learning disabilities and autism, while propelling a universal and touching story.

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If you’ve read my book, Unforgiving, Memoir of an Asperger Teen, and even if you haven’t, you may be aware that information about autism and Asperger’s was non-existent as far as the public was concerned, until the late 1980’s. Even then it was sporadic.

So how amazing, how practical and helpful to have an internet full of candid, authoritative and informational resources. I am talking about blogs, web zines, and You Tube videos, like the one above. Here are just a few:

Expert advice from our team of respected professionals.

Solutions for dealing with sensory issues.

Advice for handling transitions.

Therapies to help develop your child’s potential.

The latest news and research that can help your family.

Real life stories from parents of children on the spectrum as well as from adults with autism to inspire and bring hope.

My Unexpected Journey: Join me as I navigate Autism, Homeschooling, Depression & Anxiety; all with God’s help. http://www.myunexpectedjourney.net/?p=29

Autism in Our Nest We are an autism family. We are one loving unit, and autism is a part of who we are.

These are just a few of the available resources, but enough to keep you focused for now. Any feedback? Please feel free to contact me at:

margaretjean64@gmail.com

Yours truly,

Margaret Jean.

Share this:

Like this:

In my book, Unforgiving, Memoir of an Asperger Teen, I show the vividness of life when purpose is found and pursued, and the sense of disconnection a teen has when that purpose is lost.

And if you ask some Aspies, they will tell you the thing they know most about happiness, is how elusive it is.

Having a purpose can change that. It will not only fuel your passion and get you out in the world doing something meaningful, “Purpose” also, according to Dr. Patricia A. Boyle PhD, a neuropsychologist with the Rush Alzheimer’s Disease Center, “somehow gives your brain resilience”.

And according to another study by cardiologist Randy Cohen of St. Lukes-Roosevelt Hospital in New York, Purpose can protect your heart health and contribute to your longevity.

So what is “Purpose” and how do you find it? One thing at least two people agree on, is that action is the key.

“Passion plus Daily Action Equals a Purposeful Life” writes author Shannon Kaiser in her article Three Unexpected Ways to Find Purpose.

Like Kaiser, Manson insists “Passion is the result of action, not the cause of it.”

Want to live longer, have a healthier heart and brain and do something you actually love? First you have to find out what that is. These authors give you fuel for the journey.

Read Manson’s article at: https://markmanson.net/life-purpose

Kaiser’s at:

and discover research facts about health and purpose at:

Share this:

Like this:

Isn’t that video helpful for overcoming social anxiety?

You know, no matter how many successful social encounters I have, it seems the ones the Asperger’s ones that don’t go well are the ones that linger ghost-like in my mind, haunting me.

Recently I had an encounter where my aim was to convey care and concern for someone. I totally missed the mark.

Instead of greeting that person in a pleasant way to set them at ease, I began with the imperative We have to talk!

Then, instead of asking how they were or how things were going for them, I launched into a prepared speech!

The target of my concern (and target is a most appropriate term) looked at me as if I were some alien being suddenly projected into the time and space slot before them.

Stunned and confused, possibly even hurt by my well-meaning verbal tackle, they said something abrupt and walked away.

Of course I immediately reviewed all the errors in my approach, feeling an absolute idiot. But then I remembered my advice to all of my fellow Aspies: have compassion for yourself.

I tried, but for the next few weeks, I shuddered each time I recalled the non-conversation.

However, I was redeemed. When my birthday came along several weeks later, that same person left flowers on my door. So I guess he got the message regardless of my delivery system.

Take heart, Aspies! Sometimes our not-so-socially-correct way of communicating still manages to connect.

Yours truly,

Margaret Jean.

Share this:

Like this:

Guest Blog:

Paisley’s blog is a great example of having compassion for yourself. I love how she’s embracing her issues instead of trying to just make them go away! We’ll be following your blog, Paisley.

Share this:

Like this:

In my book, Unforgiving, Memoir of an Asperger Teen, I note that Autism wasn’t really a concern until the late 1980’s. How wonderful it would have been if my parents and teachers (and I!) could have taken a survey like this one.

I received this survey request from the Autism Society of BC. The Canadian Autism Partnership Project (CAPP) would like all Canadian persons with or dealing with Autism Spectrum in their family, social or professional life to take the CAP survey.

The purpose of the survey is to assist in identifying programs and services that are currently effective and those that are lacking. Sounds like a good idea, does it not?

The proposed vision of the Canadian Autism Partnership is:

All Canadians living with autism have the opportunity to lead fulfilling and rewarding lives. This means that they are able to access the necessary supports and services in a welcoming and understanding society.

The proposed mandate of the Canadian Autism Partnership is:

To mobilize partners across sectors on a national level to accelerate innovation and action to address complex issues affecting Canadians living with Autism.

The proposed foundational statement for the Canadian Autism Partnership is:

Canadians living with autism have the right to:

· inclusion,

· understanding and acceptance,

· respect and dignity,

· full citizenship,

· equitable opportunities and access,

· personal autonomy, and

· decision-making.